Scotland Food & Drink appoints specialist to realise UK and London market opportunity

Industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink is strengthening its position in the UK market with its first London-based appointment, Jamie Durkin as UK Strategic Marketing Manager.

Analysis published in the recently launched industry strategy ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World.’ shows a £4 billion market opportunity for the Scottish food and drink sector to capture across key markets within the next five years, including a £1 billion market opportunity in the rest of the UK. 

In line with the strategy’s promise to focus significant effort on a market that offers growth for all Scottish food and drink sectors, Jamie Durkin has been appointed as UK Market Specialist, joining from consumer goods sales agency Stack Solutions and bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the food and drink industry.

Jamie will be responsible for extending Scotland Food & Drink’s reach with customers in London and the wider UK market identifying opportunities for growth across all food and drink sectors, including customer-led initiatives across retail and foodservice that enables food and drink businesses to expand their footprints in the London and national markets.

Amanda Brown, Programme Director at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Jamie’s appointment marks a significant step in the rollout of our new UK market activation strategy, and will be the first time we have dedicated resource in London to increase the profile of Scottish food and drink products with new and existing customers. Jamie’s expertise and connections will allow us to identify and develop commercial opportunities for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors as we seek to grow sales in the English market.”

Over his career, Jamie has managed some of the most prestigious hospitality venues in Edinburgh and London before working in a variety of FMCG sales and partnership roles at brands including craft beer wholesaler Pigs Ears Beers, SAB Miller brewing company and independent beer chain Duvel Moortgat.

Jamie said: “I am incredibly honoured to be joining Scotland Food & Drink in what is an extremely exciting chapter in its evolution. As a Scot living in London, I have consistently been championing Scottish producers for many years, and to have the chance to work with some of the world's finest products first-hand, is an exciting prospect. The team have been so welcoming and supportive and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Jamie will be based at Scotland House on Victoria Embankment, a Scottish Government co-working and event space where businesses and individuals can work, connect and grow. John Webster, Head of Scotland House London, said: “I am delighted that Scotland Food & Drink are joining Scotland House London as a full partner, and we are looking forward to working closely with Jamie. The promotion of Scotland’s world class food and drink, and support for our fantastic producers and companies, has been core to the Scotland House London mission. Formalising our relationship with Scotland Food & Drink this way will take our work with this sector to another level.”